Mahashivratri -- Lord Shiva

February 18, 2004

Shiva - the word meaning auspicious - is one of the Hindu Trinity,

comprising of Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the Preserver and Shiva

or Mahesh, the Destroyer and Re-Producer of life. Time is invisible

and formless. Therefore Mahakal Shiva, as per the Vedas, manifested

himself as "LINGUM" to make mankind aware of the presence of Eternal

Time. That day when Shiva manifested himself in the form of "Lingum"

was the fourth day of the dark night in the month of Magh i.e.

February-March. This is confirmed by Rishi Markendeya in the sloka :-

"That night, when the many-splendoured Shiv-Lingum dazzled the world

with its appearance, was the night of the Mahashivratri- the night

of the great Shiva". This Mahashivratri festival continues to be

celebrated for ever and ever. Maharshi Narad advised mankind to fast

on this day and pray to the All-Powerful Shiva so that in all His

kindness He pardons all the sins that are committed in the past

three lives.

Lord Shiva is portrayed as an ascetic, sitting on a tiger skin, a

bunch of poisonous snakes coiled round his blue neck, his hair and

his body. He received the waters of the sacred river Ganga that

rushed down from heaven with an unimaginable force and ferocity in

the coil of his hair on his head to save the world from total

annihilation and released the water slowly on the plains to flow.

Lord Shiva has a third eye in the centre of his forehead along with

a crescent moon. His most powerful weapon is the Trishul, the

trident. His favourite mount is the sacred bull, Nandi who is also

worshipped. His abode is on the high majestic Kailash mountain where

he resides with his celestial consort goddess Parvati.

Lord Shiv is worshipped in the form of `Shiv-Lingum' which

symbolises the power behind the creation. As Nataraj, the master of

the art of dancing, he is depicted in sculptures in bronze and

images in metal. In fact, the entire world of art revolves round

Lord Shiv and goddess Parvati.

Recommended Posts